Local Sports

Miles latest Scribner to shine this summer BY ADAM BAKER REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

For some, baseball is a hobby. For others, it's even a passion. But for the Scribners, it's a way of life.

Evan, Miles and Troy Scribner learned the game they love from their father, Dave, who played collegiately at Southern Connecticut State University. And while Evan and Troy play at the professional level, it was Miles who shined this summer.

Miles, 25, led the Tri-Town Trojans to a Tri-State League title last week by claiming two victories on the mound in three days. The title came onthe heels of the Trojans' first Stan Musial state title the week before.

Miles, the assistant varsity baseball coach at Immaculate High in Danbury, has played for Tri-Town for four years and won the Cy Young award in 2011. He is a potential candidate for both the MVP and Cy Young awards this season.

His career record for the Trojans is 38-5 with one save and a 1.77 earned run average, though no season was as impressive as this past one as the Trojans became the first team in league history to win the Tri-State and Musial championships in the same season.

This season, Miles finished 18-1 and faced 484 batters in 117.2 innings, allowing only 87 hits and 32 walks while striking out 117. He had a 1.27 era and batters hit just .196 against him.

"Miles is a huge part of this team. He's definitely our MVP," said Tri-Town coach Ryan McDonald. "To have a pitcher that keeps you in every game, and to know in the back of your mind that you will have a chance to win every game he pitches, does so much for a hitter, and gives us time to make things happen."

This was especially apparant in the Tri-State World Series when the Trojans defeated the Naugatuck Dogs, two games to one on two Scribner victories.

It was truly a heroic performance for Miles.

On Wednesday, in Game 1, he tossed a six-hit shutout, allowing three walks and striking out eight for a 2-0 victory.

Then, after a Game 2 loss, 8-4, Tri-Town turned to their ace one more time Friday, even after he threw 120 pitches less than 48 hours prior.

"We were in the championship for the third time in four years, and we lost both other times," said Miles. "I told myself at the beginning of the season that if we were in that position again, I'd do anything to win it."

Even throw 297 pitches in two days.

"I'd never really won anything in my baseball career," he explained. "I just wanted to come up big and do it for my teammates."

And that he did.

Miles pitched 12 innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and six walks, while striking out 13 in the 2-1 win.

"There was no way he was letting me take him out," added McDonald. "I would have had to physically drag him off the mound, or call timeout twice and have the umpires do it."

"I was just in a groove and felt like I could just keep going," stated Miles. "After the game I was so excited that we won, but the last couple of days I've been a little too sore. It was all worth it in the end."

It was the perfect ending to the perfect season for Miles, who credits his father for the help.

"When we (Miles, Evan, Troy) were growing up, he (Dave) was always around to be our mentor." stated Miles. "He's the most knowledgeable person I've ever met in baseball. He's always been a big influence on all three of us."

Older brother, Evan, 28, attended Central Connecticut State University and was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 28th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Evan is currently a reliever for the Oakland A's.

Younger brother, Troy, 22, is a graduate of Sacred Heart University and signed with the Houston Astros as an undrafted free agent on June 12.

Troy is presently with the Tri-City ValleyCats, class A affiliate of the Astros, in the New York-Penn League.

"I always consider it (playing professionally). It's still a big factor," Miles said. "I would love for my family, for all three of us to be professional baseball players. But they're looking for 18-year-olds with potential, and I'm 25 now. I think that opportunity has come and gone, but it's still something I would love to do.

"I think about it a lot. I think if I played Division I, I could have possibly made it pro, but the opportunity wasn't there at the time," said Miles. "I wasn't the hardest working back then, and I had a great opportunity at WestConn. and met some awesome people. I would never change that."

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